Rate My Professor Tanika Shalders

Tanika Shalders is a marine scientist affiliated with Southern Cross University’s Faculty of Science and Engineering at the National Marine Science Centre. She completed her Doctor of Philosophy in 2023 at Southern Cross University, with a thesis titled 'The impacts of climate change on the quality, availability and distribution of temperate seafood,' supervised by Professor Kirsten Benkendorff. Her doctoral research focused on how climate change affects the nutritional value and distribution of key temperate seafood species. Prior to this, Shalders obtained a BSc (Honours) in Environmental Biology and Coastal Zone Management from Curtin University. Since October 2020, she has served as Casual Academic Teaching staff at Southern Cross University.

Shalders' research investigates the effects of ocean warming, marine heatwaves, and seasonal temperature variations on the nutritional quality, sensory attributes, and ecological distribution of marine resources, including fish, prawns, and kelp forests. Notable publications include 'The nutritional and sensory quality of seafood in a changing climate' (Marine Environmental Research, 2022; 53 citations), 'Changing nutritional seascapes of kelp forests' (Frontiers in Marine Science, 2023), 'Impacts of seasonal temperatures, ocean warming and marine heatwaves on the nutritional quality of eastern school prawns (Metapenaeus macleayi)' (Science of the Total Environment, 2023; 11 citations), 'Nutritional quality of eastern school whiting (Sillago flindersi) under contemporary and future environmental conditions' (Fisheries Oceanography, 2024), 'Shifts in Labridae geographical distribution along a unique and dynamic coastline' (Diversity and Distributions, 2019; 22 citations), and 'Behavioural and pathomorphological impacts of flash photography on benthic fishes' (Scientific Reports, 2019; 21 citations). She received the Australian Society for Fish Biology Student International Travel Scholarship in 2023. Currently, Shalders works as a Research Scientist and Temperate Ecologist at the Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions in Western Australia, contributing to assessments of climate-mediated changes in marine ecosystems and food security.